Gazprombank gives no comments on financial aid to Cyprus in exchange of hydrocarbons of its shelf

Earlier, Russia’s gas giant Gazprom stated that it held out no offers to Cypriots, but did not rule out an initiative of the kind on behalf of Gazprombank

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MOSCOW, March 18 (Itar-Tass) – Gazprombank gave no comments pertaining to the proposal to Cyprus’ government to grant a financial aid in exchange of an access to the development of hydrocarbons on the Cypriote offshore zone, Bank First Vice-President Yekaterina Trofimova told Itar-Tass on Monday.

“No comments,” she declared.

Earlier, Russia’s gas giant Gazprom stated that it held out no offers to Cypriots, but did not rule out an initiative of the kind on behalf of Gazprombank.

Earlier on Monday, Cyprus’ Sigma TV channel said that Gazprom offered a financial aid in the restructuring of the Cypriote banks in exchange of the right to develop gas in the special economic zone of Cyprus. The scenario of the kind will allow Nicosia to give up on its plans to impose a 9.9-percent one-time tax on deposits over 100,000 euros in compliance with the credit agreement with the European Union.

According to the Sigma TV channel, the relevant proposal of the Russian gas giant, which came to President Nicos Anastasiades’ office late on Sunday, envisions Gazprom’s substantial control over gas resources of the country.

While referring to a source close to the Cypriot president, the TV channel stated that Anastasiades is not going to discuss this plan, as he hopes for the resolution of the problem within the EU format.

Proceeding from earlier information, 12 promising oil and gas-bearing fields were discovered on the Cypriote shelf.

The anti-crisis program for Cyprus adopted in Brussels on Saturday, envisaged the granting of 10 billion euros, and the imposing of a one-time tax on bank deposits for all depositors of the country’s banks.

Initially, it was proposed to pay a 6.75-percent tax from the deposits below 100,000 euros and a 9.9-percent tax on the deposits exceeding the aforesaid amount.